Google Nexus 6 users were quite pleased when the Android 7.1.1 update came through despite the unit already stepping outside Google's update window. However, following recent reports of the certain bugs riding along the update, the tech giant decided to sent out an OTA downgrading Android 7.1.1-run Nexus 6 to Android 7.0.
When Google rolled out the Android 7.1.1 last December, Pixel and select Nexus devices were able to receive it. It wasn't until January 2017 that Google Nexus 6 devices finally were able to update due to a software bug, although it wasn't a smooth ride as there were still bugs in the update. In fact, the recent March 2017 security patch was supposed to carry bug fixes but broke Android Pay on the Google Nexus 6 device.
#Nexus6 users on #Android 7.1.1 #Nougat reportedly receiving #OTA that downgrades them to 7.0 !#technology #techno #tech #google #trending pic.twitter.com/LeSmyJxbPY
— Tech_Prophecy Inc. (@tech_prophecy) March 16, 2017
Google did acknowledge the issue and noted that the "problem is being investigated." Now, Google Nexus 6 devices running on Android 7.1.1 are receiving OTA update to Android 7.0. However, these particular OTAs render the OS to roll back to Android 7.0.
Google Nexus 6 users who received the OTA flocked to Reddit and Twitter to report their disappointment and that the update has caused a number of apps to crash. Apparently, Google wasn't able to find any easy solution to remedy the initial problem, forcing them to resort to downgrading the device's OS.
But apps crashing is no surprise as Android was not made to be downgradable without a complete factory reset of the device, according to Android Police. This also marks the first for Google to ever sent out a downgrade OTA.
According to 9To5Google, Google employee posted a Reddit thread with the following information: "Hey All, There was a recent OTA update for Android 7.0 that is causing confusion for some Nexus 6 users. For those of you that want to guarantee future OTA updates, you will need to get back on the 7.0 supported track. If you are experiencing issues after accepting the 7.0 update, please factory reset your device to help resolve any problems. For any Nexus 6 users that want to continue flashing/sideloading future builds, you can stay on 7.1.1 and continue to do so. Hope this clarifies! Nexus Community Manager."
In the end, Google Nexus 6 devices will not be officially getting any further OS upgrades and Android Nougat is the last major OS update for the device.
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